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Displaying items by tag: Brexit Minister

#ferries - There have been calls for the UK Prime Minister to remove the threat of a no-deal Brexit have been repeated by the Counsel General and Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles, following a visit to Holyhead Port.

As ITV News reports, he met with the Port's manager, Captain Wyn Parry, who set out some of his concerns about operations in Holyhead if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.

Welsh ports are the gateway between Ireland and the rest of Europe, with 80% of goods carried in Irish-registered HGVs between the Republic of Ireland and Europe passing through Welsh ports.

Holyhead is the second busiest roll-on roll-off ferry port in the UK - providing the link in the supply chain for businesses across Wales, the UK and Ireland.

To read a comment by the Brexit Minister, click here. 

Published in Ferry

#Ports&Shipping - The Brexit Secretary reports BBC News, has pledged that the government will not sign up to any deal which could threaten the UK's constitutional integrity.

Dominic Raab made the comments after a one-day visit to Northern Ireland, where he met with businesses in Warrenpoint and Larne, and he also met with politicians at Stormont.

Asked three times if the government had ruled out any new regulatory checks at the Irish Sea ports, he said: "We are engaged in a negotiation process". He added that he was not going to engage in a running commentary but said the UK position was "we want to preserve the internal market within the United Kingdom".

For more on the whistle-stop tour by the Minister click here.

In addition Afloat noted on BBC 1 Newsline's related coverage yesterday, Arklow Faith docked in Warrenpoint Port. The Irish flagged short-sea trader is seen in spectacular footage (video) while ploughing into heavy seas as part of the advance promotion of the recent RTE 1 series 'The Great Lighthouses of Ireland' which concluded last month.

The four part documentary series highlighted the lives and roles played by the former Lighthouse keepers and their families and Irish Lights continued critical duties in providing aids to navigation for seafarers and shipping on an all island basis. 

Shipping such as Arklow Faith which today departed Warrenpoint and was tracked by Afloat in the Irish Sea before entering St. Georges Channel this afternoon. The 89m general cargoship is bound for the UK port of Rochester, located near Chatham on the River Medway that leads off the Thames estuary. 

Published in Ports & Shipping

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.